Questions concerning the way in which the study of social reality is to be approached are often regarded as "philosophical" issues which fall outside the domain of sociology. Sociology, it is argued, cannot concern itself with philosophical topics such as what is knowledge, what is involved in attempts to arrive at knowledge of social reality, what is the distinction between knowledge and ideology and what is the relation between sociology and society. It is the author's belief that such questions have to be confronted by sociologists going about the task of studying social reality. Instead of regarding these matters as being solely philosophical issues which fall outside the domain of sociology, This book regards them as methodological questions within the field of sociology. These questions cannot be put aside by sociologists engaging in attempts to investigate the functioning of social reality. Indeed, whether or not these questions are explicitly confronted by sociologists, their work is always informed by some kind of (albeit often unrecognized) "response" to them. This book is aimed at offering a clarification of the methodological principles which underlie various sociologists' search for knowledge of social reality. It is aimed at demonstrating how different ways of approaching the study of social reality are rooted in different methodological/philosophical traditions. Specifically, it concentrates on elucidating three types of methodological approaches - positivism, Marxist realism and Marxist non-realism. It tries to clarify at what points these positions differ from one another and in what sense they are incompatible.

Product Description: This volume offers comprehensive treatment of the latest developments in critical systems thinking and practice. The book features contributions by researchers at the prestigious Centre for Systems Studies at the University of Hull, England...read more

Product Description: In this book I have concentrated on drawing attention to various conceptions of accountability that might be brought to bear in judging the practice of social research. Much of the book is organized around making explicit the assumptions that influence what counts as “proper” research in society, including assumptions about how social inquirers might be held accountable...read more

Product Description: This book develops a debate around responsible social inquiry into new racism. A variety of ways of researching new forms of racism (for example, aversive, modern, cultural, purportedly color-blind, and new racism) are addressed. Experiments that have been undertaken to inquire into group identity and people’s implicit bias in relation to those perceived as "other" are critically explored and their potential consequences reconsidered...read more